Environmental Analyst IV - Community Monitoring Analyst

Job Description - Community Monitoring Supervisor (Environmental Analyst IV)

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.  MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people and a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

MassDEP seeks applicants for a Community Monitoring Supervisor (Environmental Analyst IV) position within the Bureau of Air and Waste, Division of Air and Climate Programs. This position is full-time and is assigned to the Air Assessment Branch (AAB) located at MassDEP's Wall Experiment Station, 37 Shattuck Street, Lawrence MA.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Division Director, or his/her designee, the Community Monitoring Analyst will design, develop, evaluate, track and communicate community-based air monitoring projects.

Specific duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

       Supervise Community Monitoring staff and associated community-based air monitoring projects.  Coordinate staff activities and monitor progress.  Provide detailed project updates as requested and notify supervisor of project delays or problems.   

       Maintain a productive staff by recruiting, training, and developing successful employees.  Provide regular feedback on employee performance and execute formal performance evaluations.  Coach, advise, and discipline employees as needed.

       Implement and enforce departmental systems, policies, and guidance.

       Collaborate and engage with local governments, tribal organizations, and community organizations to address local air quality concerns, and support community-led air monitoring projects.

       Implement effective public engagement activities to support air quality programs and improve public outreach addressing air quality issues, including identification and engagement of stakeholders and community organizations, presentation of findings to the public and other agencies, and organizing stakeholder meetings. 

       Support Community Monitoring projects and identify new opportunities for air quality monitoring programs and community engagement in Environmental Justice (EJ) areas to address concerns in EJ communities.  

       Execute successful community-based air monitoring projects by engaging with stakeholders in the planning phase, securing funding, researching air monitoring devices, implementing field activities, ensuring quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) activities are completed, and publicly presenting project findings. 

       Create and maintain quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) for community air monitoring projects.  Create and maintain associated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sensor operation, QA/QC activities, and data validation. 

       Prepare budgets and cost control strategies to forecast funding needs, acquire resources, track expenses, and monitor cost variations. 

       Identify and research grant funding opportunities, draft grant proposals that incorporate both departmental goals and grant objectives, implement suggested edits, establish partnerships with community organizations or other agencies, gather supporting documents, complete associated forms, and ensure submittal by associated deadlines.

       Prepare and monitor project schedules to ensure the project objectives support departmental goals, and that progress is meeting target dates. 

       Develop data management, analysis, and visualization systems using spreadsheets, software, programming scripts, and/or dashboards to clearly communicate complex environmental monitoring results to communities with a novice understanding of environmental data and statistics. 

       Collaborate with local governments, state agencies, and community organizations to develop actionable solutions for localized community air quality issues. 

       Present project findings and outcomes in community meetings, agency meetings, and industry conferences.

       Assist stakeholders such as municipalities, academic institutions, community organizations, and public citizens, to operate sensors and complete QA/QC procedures. 

       Ensure air sensor projects meet the department's health and safety (H&S) standards.

       Exercise technical supervision and schedule duties as required for personnel assisting with routine and enhanced Community Monitoring projects.

       Train other Environmental Analysts to operate and maintain air quality sensors.

       Review Community Monitoring reports and make recommendations regarding improvements to operations and procedures.

       Collect and install biological air monitoring samples at several fixed locations in and around the Boston area for delivery to the Department of Public Health laboratory in Jamaica Plain.

       Other activities in support of AAB operations as necessary.

Preferred Experience or Qualifications:

       Supervisory experience demonstrating excellent leadership, interpersonal, organization and communication skills.

       Experience implementing or working under a QA/QC program, with an understanding of general QA/QC processes, policies, and activities.

       Basic R, Python, SQL, or other statistical programs skills with programming and development experience.

       Knowledge of air pollution science, regulations, monitoring methods, and QA/QC procedures.

       Knowledge of state and federal Environmental Justice criteria and policies. 

       Experience operating, calibrating and maintaining air sensors or other air monitoring equipment.

       Ability to assess and repair malfunctioning air quality sensors.

       Experience reviewing air monitoring data to identify and investigate anomalies through verification and validation procedures. 

       Proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple responsibilities.

       Ability to express ideas clearly in oral and written form.

       Initiative and ability to work independently while also interacting effectively in a team environment.

       Ability to use hand tools, climb ladders, work on roof tops, move equipment and compressed gas cylinders and other equipment up to 50 lbs. in weight.

       Possession of a valid driver's license.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*  

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. 

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.  No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.